'Selfies 101: Nigel Barker on Taking the Perfect Pic'

by Daily Shot
3:59 mins

'Selfies 101: Nigel Barker on Taking the Perfect Pic'

by Daily Shot
3:59 mins

Nigel Barker knows a thing or two about taking a great photo. Over the course of his successful career as a fashion photographer, judge on "America's Next Top Model," and now host of "The Face," he's advised countless people on how to bring out their best self in a photograph. Nigel says the No. 1 mistake people make when posing for pictures is relying on the camera too much. "They stand there and they'll pose and act straight to camera," he explains, "acting as if the camera is magic." The photographer says that nothing reads better on camera than confidence. "For a moment, think a lot of yourself," he explains, suggesting that subjects think of something funny, or play music in their head to find a rhythm. "All of a sudden that relaxed demeanor that you have, the fact that you're now more comfortable, the fact that you look strong — the camera picks up on that." And with all of the selfies sweeping the Internet, Nigel has a few important recommendations. "I'm not a big fan of selfies up in the air," he says. "It makes your head very big, your body very small, so you look freakish." His suggestion for the perfect solo pic? Hold the camera "right below your chin, chin down. That keeps your head in proportion to your body." Taking a group picture at your next get-together? Nigel says candid is always better, so crack a joke or do something to make the group laugh. "That's when the magic happens," he says. "When everyone lets their guard down." Nigel is currently a celebrity ambassador for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and encourages everyone to visit pedaids.org to find out how they can do their part to help eliminate pediatric AIDS. To learn more about EGPAF, and to find out if Naomi Campbell ever threw anything at Nigel over the years, check out this episode of "Daily Shot."